25 Years of Central American Integration - food security and drug trafficking
NSCAG News |
on: Friday, 17 August 2012
Origional source: nicanet.org
The Central American Integration System (SICA) summit, held in Managua on Aug. 7-8, commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Esquipulas II accord and focused on the issue of food security for the region and the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. The Central American leaders, chaired by President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua who presides over SICA for this half year, agreed that the fight against crime and trafficking must be based on preventive measures to resolve social inequalities, while opening educational and employment opportunities especially for young people.
The leaders addressed food security in the face of global warming, drought in many parts of the world, economic crises, and the resulting rise in international food prices. Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes said that production of food must be increased and measures put in place to manage climate change and international commodity speculation. The leaders agreed to put in place regional mechanisms to confront these challenges. “The Central American people need for us to guarantee their access to food at affordable prices precisely to prevent hunger,” Funes said. The agreement on food security was praised by Gero Vaagt, UN Food and Agriculture Organization representative in Nicaragua, who said his organization was ready to support the Central American efforts.
